Mapping a route to the Children's Capital of Canada
They’re flying off the shelves.
The Best Western refills them twice daily.
Sahali Mall can’t seem to keep them in stock, either.
Whether it’s the colourful cartoon packaging, the fact it’s free or the interest in children’s activities, the Kids Map released this by Tourism Kamloops has been extremely popular.
“Every day, we’re filling them twice a day,” said Tim Rodgers, general manager of the Best Western Plus Kamloops hotel.
“They’re [guests] so hungry for information.”
Sahali Mall manager Marg Archibald said regular maps of Kamloops have been picked up steadily in the mall for the last few years, but there has been a greater demand for the Kids Maps.
“When we got them, they were going out of here much faster than anything we’ve ever seen,” Archibald said.
“It was like a gold mine had been discovered.”
“We just can’t keep enough.”
Tourism Kamloops created the brochures to appeal to families visiting and living in Kamloops.
“It’s all part of an overall strategy,” said Lee Morris, CEO of Tourism Kamloops.
“We wanted to encourage families to visit Kamloops this summer.
“It’s for the kids to have fun and get engaged and have fun things to do.”
The map depicts Kamloops in comic form and highlights activities throughout the city.
Tourism Kamloops employee caricatures give the map personality and direct users how to use the map.
Games included in the map, such as tic-tac-toe and a word-search, add a fun element.
There are also discount coupons for Kamloops attractions.
Archibald attributes the coupons as contributing to the publication’s success.
“First of all, there’s ideas and, second of all, the means to make them a little more available,” Archibald said.
“Some people come back for a second one because they want to go back to a place,” she said.
“It’s a brilliant idea.”
“I think next year, Tourism Kamloops will have to bump up how many are produced.”
Kids Maps can be found at the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce visitor information centre across from Aberdeen Mall and at various businesses, hotels and motels.
The map can be found online at tourismkamloops.com.
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